Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-04-19
OUR LOCAL POLITICAL POSITION.

DEMOCRAT in outside districts, that ex-
traordinary pains appear to have been
taken in certain quarter to misrepresent
the position of this paper in regard to
the policy it advocates concerning the
ensuing local campaign. 1t has been re-
presented that THE DEMOCRAT favors the
division of the anti-Mormon element by
the running of Democratic and Republi-
can tickets in opposition to the
nominees of the Church and State
party. A greater or more malicious
falsehood was never uttered by
the lips of the most malignant or un-
scrupulous partisan that ever attempted
to further his own infamous ends by
lying statements in relation to honest
men or sincere and unsubsidiZed journals.
In view of the fact that THE DEMOCRAT
has lately added large number of names
to its subscription list, from sections
where it formerly had but limited cir
culation, we will again, for the informa-
tion of our new subscribers, briefly ex-
plain our position in regard to what we
believe to be the best method to in
sure the largest possible vote against
the so-called Peoples tickets, which,
it is we'll known are nothing more or less
than combinations of names selected by
the leaders Of the Mormon Church in the
different counties, for the purpose of ef-
fecting the ends Of the First Presidency,
which is the absolute power controlling
political affairs in every county and
township in the Territory. Heretofore,
the opposition to this power has been
weakened by partisan preiudices and
jealousies which are bound to manifest
themselves, aud which cannot be recon-
ciled or suppressed except by the adop-
ton Of the policy advocated by hundreds
and thousands of the most far seeing
and intelligently practical men
who interest themselves in loyal political
matters in Utah, and whose views are
enunciated through the columns OF the
Salt Lake DEMOCRAT. To guard against
the weakening influence of partisan feel
ings, and, in fact, to utilize them in
strengthening the opposition to the Nor
mon power, it is proposed to adopt a
different course to that heretofore pur-
sued and which has never resulted in
anything except inglorious defeat. 1t is
proposed to effect a thorough organiza-
ton of both of the National political
parties in the Territory. 1t is pro-
posed that each party shall advo-
cate the National principles by which
it is governed and endeavor by
eliciting the interest of the more liberal
Mormons and especially the young men,
who imagine that the Mormon question
is only one which agitates the country,
to draw them away from the priesthood
party and secure there support of the
principles which Republicans and Demo
Gratis alike hold to be essential to the
maintenance of Republican form of
government. Each recruit to either Of
the National arties is a vote lost to the
priesthood and one gained to the loyal
element, which is striving to overcome
the worse than monarchical power
which has for 80 many years con-
trolled the local government of
the Territory. 1t is proposed
that, at the proper time, the two Nation
political parties shall hold their conven-
tons at the same time. Their let COM
mittee, a conference committee if you
please, be appointed, consisting of an
equal number of members of each con-
vention. Let this committee decide upon
an equal or proportionate division of the
ticket, designating which officers shall be
named by the delegates of each conven-
ton. Then let the conventions nominate
their candidates for the offices 10 which
they are severally entitled under
the action of the joint committee.
The nominees of the two conventions
will constitute an entire ticket which will
be endorsed by both bodies and will con-
stitute fusion ticket, to be supported at
the election by the united membership
of both parties. By the adoption of
this method, there will be no possible
chance for complaint upon the ground Of
unfairness, or of preference being shown
in the nominations by discrimination in
favor of one party over the other. This,
in our opinion, will insure a larger vote
in favor of the loyal cause than by
making the nominations in the manner
formerly adopted. We defy anyone to
name a man who would not support
ticket so constructed, who would vote
for the nominees of a mixed body con-
vened under the name and title of a Lib
eral convention. On the contrary, we
know of hundreds, and probably there
are thousands, who would support a
mixed ticket upon which each party is
fairly represented, and which is endorsed
by both parties represented in conven-
tions, who would not cast their ballots for
nominees selected under the old method.
The policy which will secure the most
votes is the best one, and if THE Demo-
GRATIS proposition will effect this, itshould
be adopted. We only ask that it shall be
fairly considered, and if our reasons shall
be accepted as cogent and convincing,
that the unselfsh and sincere loyalists of
this Territory shall not permit the pecun-
iary interests of few rule or ruin OBJ